From the Journal of Walker Rannos of Blackmoor, being an account of the Evermore Expedition:
Day 1: An eventful day. We have returned from a successful foray performing a service on behalf of my church. The chapter house of Fharlangan that we frequent could easily be mistaken for an inn, to the untrained eye. My companions and I have been enjoying the Traveler’s hospitality…except for Casparo, that is. Devils take the man! Strider Culain came to speak to me concerning a new expedition, and the fool sits muttering
“It won’t do…. It won’t do…” over and over again at his breakfast. The Strider icily informed Casparo that he could easily seek food elsewhere, instead of continuing to enjoy the temple’s larder, as he had for WEEKS. I was mortified. But things improved rather quickly.
It seems the Strider wants us to perform an expedition to the region known as ‘Evermore’. Our knowledge of this world is limited in the extreme: according to the temple’s teachings, we haven’t explored more than two to three day’s travel in any direction from the city of Avonshar. Imagine, this vast continent,
UNEXPLORED! As another honor, the Strider has presented me with a mapping disc…a curious magic item that allows the temple to track me from afar, and automatically creates a map of my journeys. Astounding. Strider Culain tells me it was commissioned from the Boccobites.
Things were going swimmingly, and then Casparo had to embarrass me again. He apparently overheard my conversation with the Strider, and loudly asked to no one in particular how we would be paid. Crass, but I understand that not everyone is a follower of the church. I pointed this out in more diplomatic terms to the Strider…. his reply was straight from verse:
“The Journey is it’s own Reward.” Casparo was unimpressed.
“So we can keep what we find…where’s the benefit in that? According to you, there’s been no sign of a sentient race here since the first travelers arrived 500 years ago! No people, No treasure! Casparo the Magnificent is a professional! Why, in Sigil…” At this point, I stopped listening. Casparo began regaling us with another tale of Sigil, and of his daring deeds therein. Sigil certainly doesn’t sound like an enjoyable place to visit, but to hear Casparo talk, it’s a paradise.
“Well, no people, it’s true…but there’s plenty of minerals. Imagine it: gold mines, untouched. Diamond mines, where you can just pluck the gems out of the walls like ripe fruit off the vine…” Casparo’s eyes glazed over for a moment, considering the idea the way a starving man thinks of a steak dinner. I think he licked his lips.
“’Ere now!” Rali chimed in,
“that’s not how you get gold or gems out of a mine! A proper mine…” Alden and I quickly hushed the dwarf. She’s a valiant warrior, and one of the most persuasive dwarves I’ve ever met, but she has her professional pride. Casparo didn’t know the first thing about mining…but he knew greed. Casparo was still too enraptured by his vision to even notice.
Alden, Delwyn and Tazendra all agreed. They had each grown tired of the city, particularly Alden and Tazendra, the elves. I spoke with each of them in turn, and suggested they get supplies for the wilderness. Neither Rali nor Casparo have Bedrolls! Rali’s a dwarf, so maybe she enjoys sleeping on rocks…but Casparo doesn’t seem to know the first thing about survival outside the city.
Amazing.
It was while we were discussing this that I noted that Casparo had left. Several minutes later, I saw him exit the temple through the main gate, quickly. A moment later, a curious woman and her bodyguards appeared, and immediately asked us where ‘the thief’ who had taken ‘her babies’, had gone. We pleaded ignorance, especially after she pointed out that he had been in her bedroom. Casparo is nowhere to be found for some time.
Day 2: We prepare for our journey. I realize now I haven’t actually detailed my traveling companions.
- Rali Caightanker: A dwarven woman of immense resolve, and a vicious halberd.
- Delwyn: A Psionic Warrior of incredible swiftness, Delwyn carries a bizarre weapon I’ve never seen before…a spiked chain.
- Tazendra: An elven scout, or so she claims. I’ve never seen a scout move like she does, though. I’d swear she was an acrobat, to see her tumble and jump.
- Alden: Our second elf, Alden is a Shaper, capable of creating objects and servants with the power of his mind alone. A level headed fellow, but he scares me a little.
- Casparo, the Magnificent: I’m not sure what Casparo claims as his profession. He’s certainly an excellent scout, but unrepentant about his sometimes larcenous behavior. He has a tendency to be used by large words, rather than using them.
After the group assembled, the Strider had an additional surprise for us. Two Kasirs for our party. The giant beasts of burden will serve us well, I trust. Natives to this world, they are like docile great cats, the size of elephants, with fuzzy antenna. I name the first Sulley, and the second Old Bill. The Kasirs will bear our tents, some equipment, and nearly two weeks supply of fresh water. The Strider has provided me with a set of sketchy maps, indicating some water sources, beyond the forest we’ll have to pass. Our journey will take is into the mountainous region of Evermore, of which we know little.
We set out.
Day 4: We have arrived at the edge of civilization, as we know it. This border town is called ‘Hope’, and it lays on the border of the great forest. The mostly elven community looks on us with a combination of pity and astonishment, I think. I asked for what little information they could provide…and little information is what I got. When I asked, half-jokingly, if they had any charms to protect them from the forest, I was told
“Common Sense and staying out of it,” as if being scolded like a school-child. Calling this place a town is a kindness, mind you, and we spend almost no time here. I’m eager to truly begin the expedition, at last.
ONWARD!
Day 5: I nearly died yesterday.
After hours of pushing through the dense forest, Rali (who was riding atop Sulley) and I both noted that something was following us. They were eerily silent, and kept to the treetops. At the distance we were seeing them, we knew they had to be large. I suspected they were swinging from the upper trees. Casparo, who I’d forced to walk in the lead alongside me (to keep an eye on him, of course) disappeared into the underbrush without a trace. I never even noticed him leave. After several tense moments, we decided to move on. We lost sight of the creatures. At some point, Casparo appeared at my shoulder, as if he’d never left. I don’t know if I’ll get used to that. We eventually determined that they were still following us, at a cautious distance. They weren’t being overtly threatening, so we let them be.
Around noon, we located a clearing, and took our rest. As we broke out the lunches, Casparo caught sight of the creatures at the edge of the clearing. They were large and orange-red in color. They were simians, looking like what I’ve seen in books as described as an orangutan. But the pictures I’d seen didn’t have four arms with a thin membrane between each set, or the huge tusks that protruded from their oversized jaws. We named them
Tuskers on the spot. It was at this point that I noticed that Casparo was playing a ‘monkey-see monkey-do’ game with them. Worse, I realized that we were making direct eye contact with them, and the alpha male was taking it as a challenge. Suddenly, he started beating his chest. I yanked Casparo away, warned the others, and we left the clearing before we agitated them further.
All day long, the elves had been telling me that the forest felt ‘wrong’. Tainted, was the best way they could describe it. The Strider had told me one feature that some explorers had described of the wilderness was the ‘taint’. Apparently, large tracts of land bore the mark of unhallowing, as if they’d been corrupted in some fashion. This was part of the reason expansion had been so slow and reticent. We were soon to encounter the other reasons.
An hour later, we entered a clearing. A clearing of standing stones. I began sketching immediately. Tazendra and Alden immediately claimed this clearing felt even more tainted than the forest in which it lay. I didn’t need them to tell me, this time. I could feel it myself. Powerful necromantic energy was present here, and summoning the power of Fharlangan, I could see the whole of the clearing was full of necromantic energy.
The stones themselves were thrust up from the earth, as if pushed up. They looked natural, and if they weren’t in a perfect circle, forming a ring, the six stones would look ordinary. More curious, to me at least, was the presence of grass within the clearing and the circle. Such powerful energy should have killed the plants here…but they seemed immune or untouched. Alden had bonded with the Kasirs, by this point, and kept company with them, far away from the circle at the end of the clearing. They seemed to inherently trust him; perhaps his ability to create those small servants makes him more empathetic? I must make a note to speak to him more at length about his talent.
I entered the circle, knowing the risks. Rali followed me shortly after, and then Tazendra. Dylwin stayed clear, looking for possible threats. Once again, the Tuskers appeared at the edge of the clearing, then disappeared back into the trees, watching us. I failed to notice anything out of place, but Rali discovered some ancient script written on the stones, almost invisible to the naked eye. Trust a dwarf to find something on a stone. She claimed it looked like Dwarvish runes, but were different enough to seem like gibberish. She copied all of them for later reference.
It was at this point that Tazendra decided to climb atop one of the stones. I don’t know if she was merely attempting to get a better view, show off her athletic prowess or was merely bored. I never had the chance to ask. The Tuskers took this as some sort of provocation. We then discovered the secret to their speed: gliding. They may have used their four wings to climb and swing, but they moved swiftly and silently on the membranes between their arms. The tuskers were far more agile than their ungainly forms first appeared, and within seconds, three of them swooped in and attacked us.
The first knocked Tazendra from the standing stone to the floor. I heard her hit with a dull thud, the wind knocked from her lungs and almost certainly accompanied by some pain. I had little time to check on her condition, however, as another one descended in front of me and lashed out. Luck was with me, and only one of its fists connected. As I got out of the way, Rali moved in to strike at it. I could see both Casparo and Tazendra dancing around like circus performers, and Delwyn closed with a third, bringing his odd weapon to bear with considerable effect. Alden began concentrating intently, and something formed in the air in front of him. It appeared to be made of some sort of energy-charged liquid, and was swiftly forming into a vaguely human shape.
This is all I had time to notice, however, as I needed to concentrate to bring my own powers to bear. I focused and brought down a clap of thunder, momentarily stunning two of the creatures. This allowed several of the others to close and take advantage of their momentary vulnerability. However, I made a crucial mistake, and closed in to use my staff. Not only did I fail to connect, but when the creature came to it’s senses, it pummeled me into unconsciousness. As I lay there, bleeding, I became certain of one thing: this place was draining my life essence. I only know the others managed to defeat the creatures when they revived me. I was surprised to find that Rali was most accomplished healer besides myself. Once awake, I set about healing the others. As soon as I communicated the nature of the circle, the others removed the fallen tuskers from the area. I fear for what might happen, should their bodies be allowed to remain.
I was troubled by the tuskers’ actions.
Why had they attacked? It didn’t seem consistent with normal animal behavior, and they certainly seemed more intelligent than many other beasts I’ve encountered. I examined them in detail, sketching them as best I could. I was glad to find they had never been able to land enough attacks to envelop one of us within the web of the arm membranes…it’s difficult to tell from their dead bodies, but I think they would have been able to do us further harm if they had. I think someone retrieved something from one of the tuskers, but not having been awake, I’m unsure. If Casparo had found it, I doubt I’ll hear of it.
I spent virtually all of the spells I had, keeping merely a few in reserves. I healed most of my damaged comrades as best I could, and healed myself completely. My chest still ached from the beating I’d taken. Alden suggested we get some distance from the Standing stones, and was met with no objections. We traveled on for the rest of the day, eventually reaching almost impenetrable forest. We decided this was the best place to make camp. Watches were set, and I prepared for a rest.
It was not to be.
That night, while Casparo and Rali sat watch, the Magnificent one noticed movement at the edge of the firelight. Four odd-looking frog-like creatures appeared, two at either end of the camp. Large as dogs, the hideous things moved in, and before the watchers could do little more than alert us, attacked. We would later decide to name them
[color=sea green]Toadloks.[/color]
Two of them attacked the most vulnerable members of our troop: the kasirs. The poor beasts of burdens were awoken with a sudden start, as the hideous tongues of the creatures lashed out over fifteen feet…
and stayed attached. The hideous smell of acid and burning fur filled my nostrils. To my horror, one of the other two creatures attacked Alden, who was busily trying to summon one of his astral constructs. Its tongue stuck to his stomach and began burning a hole in his midsection.
By the time I got to my feet and moved to engage the nearest Toadlock, it had killed one of the Kasirs, which collapsed in a heap upon the ground. Alden had sent one his strange constructs to help destroy it, but a renewed attack from one of the Toadloks caused him to loose his concentration when summoning a second one. Rali’s halberd came smashing down on the extended tongue of the Toadlok who was attached to Sulley, our remaining kasir. While she was unable to sever the tongue, the grievous damage was enough to cause it to retract it, sparing the beast. As it retracted, we noted in horror that it had a series of suckers, not unlike an octopus’ tentacle, running the length of it. I renewed my attack on my opponent, striking sound blows with my staff.
Dylwin and the rogues made quick work of the other toadloks, dashing about the freakish creatures with consummate dexterity and skill. Unable to land more than an occasional glancing shot, the toadloks were not well-defended, and soon dealt with.
Or so I thought.
I healed Alden, who had a hole in his abdomen from the attack, but quickly realized something else was wrong. He remained pale, and complained of pains. Dylwin and Rali noted that the belly of the kasir had strange bulges….moving bulges.
Parasites. The toads hadn’t injected venom, as I’d feared; they’d injected larvae, using their victims as hosts for their young. If I didn’t act quickly, we might lose both Alden and poor Sulley. I enlisted Rali to help as I worked quickly. I nearly undid all of my work on Alden to remove the hideous parasites, though he hardly complained. I imagine that he didn’t much care for them being just under his skin. Sulley was more work. I healed him as best as I could, and again went to work. I needed to take more time, and nearly killed the creature in the process, but ultimately removed them.
We immediately realized that the fallen kasir still had parasites, and would be hatching them sooner or later. Some of the others wanted to burn the body, but I had no desire to remain near it. The fresh blood would attract other predators, and it would rapidly become tenous to defend this area, fire or no fire. It certainly hadn’t dissuaded the toadloks. We debated it, but eventually the concern came over Sulley. The female, she wouldn’t want to leave her fallen mate until the body was long since decayed, introducing more of the problems I had. Luckily, Alden was able to create a construct to fool the creature into following it, and we lead it away, while it was still weak and confused. After we left, we heard the sounds of increased wildlife from our former campsite. My fears were rightly placed; the local population had descended to feed. I shudder to think what it might be.
It is the next day, and we are resting by the lake I had hoped we could reach. We changed course to find a more hospitable route that would allow us to keep Sulley with us. I have healed Sulley back to health, but it mourns, poor thing. There is little I can do to heal that wound. Dylwin has done some fishing, and I will help shortly. Against my advice, several of the others have drunk some of the water. I made an effort to purify a good share. With the loss of one of our kasirs, fresh food and water is harder to get, and we’ll have to live off the land soon, if we’re not careful. I have discovered a small cave nearby, but we’ll need to explore it. The elves seem noticeably relieved to be here, as if the taint which touches the forest doesn’t reach here.
Spirits are low today. The hideous creatures here are testimony to why expansion from Avonshar has been limited, at best. I am curious about the stones, though I can scarce say where they are from. The lack of any reward for our efforts so far does not sit well with some, though this is not entirely unexpected. Today we rest, and regain our strength. Tomorrow, we will investigate the cave, and set up shelter. It is deep enough and large enough that we can get the kasir in, but I don’t want newer creatures assaulting us in the dark from the depths of the outcropping.
Day 6: I scribe this hastily, as we are still within the complex. Tazmendra and Casparo have found a concealed passageway. A worked passageway, made by tool using creatures. It can be no other.
Something has been here before us.
Inside was a smoothed ramp, descending into darkness at a steep angle. I suspect they were once stairs, but have been worn smooth by something over time. I cannot say what could do such a thing. While we inspected it, we discovered some odd features to the cave. Once again, Rali the dwarf noticed something out of place.
As smooth and natural as the rock at first appeared, we soon realized that there signs of hands, fingers, legs and other body parts in the stone, as if it were mud that these poor unfortunates had pushed through, and then been frozen. No single creature could be found, merely individual parts. It was disturbing, to say the least.
We also found a worked stone cube, the size of a fist. Alden created a construct to retrieve it. On it’s base was an ancient symbol, once more resembling ancient dwarvish. Rali though it resembled the rune for ‘AT’. I could tell it bore an enchantment of abjuration, but that told me little. We could find no power with the stone. Finding little else to discover, we proceeded down.
And down again.
And down further still.
In the chill depths, further and further from the lake, we found first a split in the passage, and then a round door, clearly manufactured. We tested and eventually opened it leading to a round chamber. Within, we found four skeletons of some long since departed humanoids. At least seven feet tall, they were dressed in some strange kind of chainmail; composed of a metal I was unfamiliar with. Alden, our resident alchemist and armor smith, was certain it was no metal he had seen. We collected it, the helms and greatswords they bore, and I collected parts of different skulls for later study. Who were this creatures? How did they come here, almost a thousand feet beneath the surface? Was this their complex, or were they a raiding party?
Casparo quickly spiked the door open, as he suspected that these unlikely creatures had been trapped in here and suffocated. Correct or not, it seemed a wise course of action. He and Tazmendra say there are corridors beyond the two exits to this chamber, but shrouded in unnatural darkness. We pause now to consider our course of action, and we hold counsel as I record this. I will write more when it is prudent.
[color=dark red]Rannos of Blackmoor, Walker of Fharlangan[/color]
